The principle of member economic participation in the light of the new profiles of the mutualistic scope

  • Deolinda A. Meira Polytechnic Institute of Porto
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18543/baidc-53-2018pp107-137
Keywords: cooperative, the principle of member economic participation, mutualistic scope, cooperative surpluses, profit, indivisible reserves

Abstract

This study aims to demonstrate that the principle of member economic participation presents a reductive vision for the determination and distribution of economic results in cooperatives. The wording of the principle is based on the idea of a «perfect» cooperative, which operates only with its members and pursues an exclusively and directly mutualistic scope. In recent decades, there has been a reinvention of the cooperative model, which brought with it changes in the cooperative mutualistic scope configuration. These may operate with third parties, may indirectly develop, through subsidiaries, instrumental or complementary activity of their main activity, and may carry out operations outside their cooperative purpose. Thus, in addition to surpluses, cooperatives can produce profits. In order to preserve the mutualistic scope of cooperatives, this cooperative principle should contain guidelines on the necessary socialization of these profits, obligatorily affecting them to indivisible reserves.

Received: 18 June 2018
Accepted: 24 September 2018
Published online: 21 December 2018

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Author Biography

Deolinda A. Meira, Polytechnic Institute of Porto
Licenciatura y Máster en Derecho, Universidad de Coimbra, Doctorada en Derecho en la Universidad de Vigo. Professora Adjunta de Derecho Mercantil en el Instituto Politécnico do Porto/ISCAP. Investigadora del CECEJ y del SGECOL (Study Group on European Cooperative Law).

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Published
2018-12-21
How to Cite
Meira, Deolinda A. 2018. “The Principle of Member Economic Participation in the Light of the New Profiles of the Mutualistic Scope”. International Association of Cooperative Law Journal, no. 53 (December), 107-37. https://doi.org/10.18543/baidc-53-2018pp107-137.
Issue
No. 53 (2018): Member economic participation
Section
Articles

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